Preach

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -iːtʃ

Origin

From Middle English prechen, from Old French precchier (Modern French prêcher), from Latin praedicāre, present active infinitive of praedicō.

Full definition of preach

Verb

1. (intransitive) To give a sermon.
• 1918, W. B. Maxwell, The Mirror and the Lamp Chapter 3, One saint's day in mid-term a certain newly appointed suffragan-bishop came to the school chapel, and there preached on “The Inner Life.”  He at once secured attention by his informal method, and when presently the coughing of Jarvis … interrupted the sermon, he altogether captivated his audience with a remark about cough lozenges being cheap and easily procurable.
2. A local Muslim used to preach from the Quran and hadith.
3. (transitive) To proclaim by public discourse; to utter in a sermon or a formal religious harangue.
• Bible, Isa. lxi. 1The Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek.
4. (transitive) To advise or recommend earnestly.
• ShakespeareMy master preaches patience to him.
5. (transitive) To teach or instruct by preaching; to inform by preaching.
• SoutheyAs ye are preached.

Related terms

• practice what one preaches
• preach to the choir
• preach to the converted

Noun

1. (obsolete) A religious discourse.